Margot Stage will be at the Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA in the exhibit BITE! The show runs from February 14th through March 14th

“Local Roots” – local scenes by Mark Fountain can be seen at Lawrence Library Art Gallery, 15 Main Street in Pepperell, MA. The show runs from February 7th to March 7th

Regina McGearty of Walk on the Moon Jewelry will add some sparkle to the Ayer Lofts Resident Show which has been extended through March! “A Foot in the Door” features 12″x12″ or smaller works for cherishing and gifting. The Gallery is Open Weekends 12-4pm

Denise Rainis will be featured in the show “Summer Dreaming” at Gallery 529, 529 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 Chase the Winter Blues away!

Paula Mingolelli (Studio A408) will be featured in Grace Chapel’s Show “Purple”. Her painting “Storm Coming” will be on display through March 2nd. LAST CHANCE!

You’ve seen Bruce Wood’s creations all over Western Ave, now find out what’s in his head!

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background. Where are you from? Where did you study? How long have you been an artist?

A: I grew up in Groveland MA. After High School I attended Arizona Western College on a wrestling scholarship. While at AWC I witnessed someone firing Raku pottery. That was it…. I was going to be a potter. I transferred to Northern Arizona University and majored in ceramics. I achieved a Master of Arts in Art Education and moved back to New England to pursue a teaching career.

Q: What is the first thing you remember making/creating by hand?

A: As a kid I was always building something. Tree houses, go carts, forts etc. I remember sitting for hours with an Etch-a-Sketch making designs and drawings.

Q: What is your biggest obstacle with your art?

The biggest challenge I have is finding time to get involved in my constructions. I am usually working on several projects at once and sometimes lose track as to where one project ends and another one begins. I am also continually on the prowl for new “found objects” to use in my work.

Q: Describe a typical art creativity session. What is it like? For example, do you work in silence, or do you work to music? Do you prefer to be alone, or do you need people around?

When I work, I am all over the place. Jumping from one project to another. Feeding off the creative energy, I come up with new ideas and start new designs right in the middle of working on the current project. Sometimes frustration sets in because I have so many artworks going on at once and nothing seems to be getting finished. Then as I push through, things begin to click and one creation after another fall into place and I have several completed artworks.

Q: How does your personality translate into your art?

I enjoy the thought process and I am comfortable being with myself. I will sometimes turn my projects over to my subconscious to figure out design or construction problems. When the process makes me smile, I know I am on the right track.

Q: Did you always know you wanted to make the art you make today? Did you start out in a different medium in the early days?

I majored in ceramics in college, but I took every art class the University offered. I have taught photography and mural painting. I have made jewelry and done both glass blowing and lampwork glass. I have done silk-screenings and made digital art. I never envisioned myself doing the art I do today (Found Object Sculpture). It is a whole new form of sculpture that I have been doing for a couple of years now.

Q: What is your favorite thing about the arts community?

I love the interaction with the other artists. Sharing ideas, encouragement and inspiration is paramount. My art has grown exponentially since I have been at Western Avenue Studios. I also like sharing art and art education with the public on Open Studio days. I try to evoke multiple thoughts and emotions in the viewer as the nuances in the work are discovered.

Q: Do you have a big seller? What do you think people love about it? And be honest…are you tired of making it?

I think my best seller is my Amigoids. The small animal creatures made mostly from computer mice. I like hiding objects right in front of people and the customers enjoy the juxtaposition of the components.
I really enjoy making the bigger sculptures. However they take much more time and energy than the small objects.

Q: What advice do you have for someone just starting out as an artist?
The advice I would give to a new artist is to make a lot of art. The more art you make the more opportunity you have to learn and improve. Always try to reach for the next skill level. And enjoy the process. I believe the creative process happens when whatever you are working on begins directing you toward your next step and when the evolution of the process is guided by the artwork itself.

You can visit Bruce in his Studio #427 on the First Saturday of each month at Western Avenue Open Studios!

Hearts and Flower Oh my! Friday February 13th we have love on the mind. Mill City Glass Works will be making hearts and flowers to take home to our loved ones. There will also be a demo to follow the experiences. ONE SLOT PER PERSON
Costs: Flower $30 Heart: $50. SO romantic!

Lisa Hertel and Robert Crooker will be exhibiting at Boskone, the region’s oldest science fiction and fantasy convention, which features some of the best science fiction and fantasy illustrators. Friday February 13th through Sunday February 15th at the Westin Waterfront hotel in Boston. The art exhibit, along with many panels on art and genre literature, a vendor’s room, readings and signings, is all included with membership.
The lovely (and talented) Eling Chang of Migration Goods will be at (Valentine) Artisan Market Weekend, Rolling Green Nursery, 64 Breakfast Hill Rd. Greenland NH, 03840 (Portsmouth area) Saturday and Sunday, February 14th & 15th, 10am – 3pm

Sergio Velazquez‘ exhibit Boys of Ramalho’s will be on display at Skylight Gallery, 538 West 29th Street, New York, NY from January 29th through March 6th with an Opening Reception this Thursday February 12th from 6-9pm

Margot Stage will be at the Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA in the exhibit BITE! The show runs from February 14th through March 14th with an Opening reception this Saturday the 14th from 4-6pm

“Local Roots” – local scenes by Mark Fountain can be seen at Lawrence Library Art Gallery, 15 Main Street in Pepperell, MA. The show runs from February 7th to March 7th with an Opening Reception Saturday, February 14th from 12-2pm

Regina McGearty of Walk on the Moon Jewelry will add some sparkle to the Ayer Lofts Resident Show through the Month of February. “A Foot in the Door” features 12″x12″ or smaller works for cherishing and gifting. The Gallery is Open Weekends 12-4pm

Denise Rainis will be featured in the show “Summer Dreaming” at Gallery 529, 529 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 Chase the Winter Blues away!

Yay! It’s First Saturday! That and other fun things are in store for the weekend!

Shows/Events this Weekend:

February 7th is First Saturday Open Studios at Western Ave! It’s always so full of fun events ad there are over 100 Artists waiting to meet you! Here are just a few of the exciting things you can find here!

Pick up a postcard on your way into any of our buildings, visit participating studios and lofts, collect stickers from the artists, browse the art, and buy Valentine’s Day gifts for all. Deposit your postcard with your contact information in the box on your way out for a chance to win one of three gift certificates to spend at the participating studios and lofts.

Visit 15 or more studios and lofts for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

Visit 25 or more studios and lofts for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate.

Visit 35 or more studios and lofts for a chance to win a $75 gift certificate.

Hearts will mark the entryways to participating studios and lofts. No purchase necessary! Drawing will be held on the day of the event. You need not be present to win. Winners will be contacted.

What says I love you like a beautiful handmade, hardwood Jewelry / Keepsake Box. It is a wonderful gift for the one you love to keep all that great jewelry and special items safe and protected. A number of different styles and woods to choose from in The Loading Dock Gallery as well as in the Old School Woodworkin Studio # 222 . Kevin’s work is beautiful and will be cherished by your Valentine!

Hearts and Flower Oh my! For February the 7th open studio and the 13th we have love on the mind. Mill City Glass Works will be making hearts and flowers to take home to our loved ones. The 13th there will be a demo to follow the experiences. ONE SLOT PER PERSON
Costs: Flower $30 Heart: $50. SO romantic!

Tom and Val Borgal will be having a Flower Show in studio 504 for the Feb. 7th Open Studio. Flowers to last a life time in photos and watercolor. Perfect for your Valentine!

Lush beads will be having a big De-stash Sale of beading supplies in Studio A205! Get in and grab some goodies!

Once again, the Loading Dock Gallery’s features a terrific show! Tom Veirs & Chris Volpe present “Unreliable Witnesses”. The show runs through March 1st and there is a public reception after Open Studios on Saturday from 5-7pm

Several Western Ave Artists including Denise Rainis & Deena Stallard are participating in the new show at the ALL Gallery. Grey Scale runs from January 9th through February 22nd

Regina McGearty of Walk on the Moon Jewelry will add some sparkle to the Ayer Lofts Resident Show through the Month of February. “A Foot in the Door” features 12″x12″ or smaller works for cherishing and gifting. The Gallery is Open Weekends 12-4pm with an Opening Reception Thursday February 5th 6-8pm

Denise Rainis will be featured in the show “Summer Dreaming” at Gallery 529, 529 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 Chase the Winter Blues away!

Featured Artist E Scott Phillips of Totally Wired is an amazing Wire Sculptor! You can find Scott at Western Ave in Studio 213. Get to know a little bit about Scott here:

Q: What do you love most about your art?‘

A: I love that my creations are as endless as my mind. The wire bends and conforms as needed. It can be shaped to create trees, flowers, animals or jewelry. When the piece is completed I love how it picks up the light and the reflection adds depth and movement to the pieces.

Q: What is your biggest obstacle with your art?

A: Mental block is the easiest pain to deal with however years of wire sculpting has lead to other pains. All of my creations are hand made and the constant twisting and manipulation of wire, aside from cuts and scratches, has lead to carpel tunnel and tennis elbow. I love my art and I love creating it and I won’t let a little pain hold me back.

Q: Describe a typical art creativity session. What is it like? For example, do you work in silence, or do you work to music? Do you prefer to be alone, or do you need people around?

A: I like to work alone as many times I close my eyes and picture animals or birds or trees and what they would look like made of wire. It’s calming and meditative. Once I have the idea, in my head , I crank up the music and sing along.

Q: How does your personality translate into your art?

A: Well I am a little twisted… And that pretty much is my art 😉

Q: What is your favorite thing about the arts community?

A: My favorite thing about our community is the comradery. I have made so many good friends. No matter what the medium we all have something in common, our art. I do not think I can walk into a restaurant in town with out seeing an artist friend. This is what I love most about this city; the art community.

Q: Describe your favorite way to spend a Sunday morning?

A: My favorite way to spend a Sunday morning is with a mimosa, some music and a spool of wire.

You can visit Scott and see his beautiful creations in his Studio #213 at Western Avenue Studios.

Western Avenue Studios and Western Avenue Lofts form the largest artist community of our kind on the East Coast, if not the country. Starting with 31 studios and 45 artists on one floor of one building in 2005 we have grown to 245 studios offering work space to more than 280 artists and 50 live/work lofts offering 70 artists the opportunity to live and work in a nurturing and supportive environment.